According to Football Insider, Everton are leading the race to secure a loan deal for Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City for the 2024/25 season, as the 28-year-old midfielder doesn’t have a future at the Etihad. The Toffees are ahead of Aston Villa in the pursuit and are keen to sign him to replace Amadou Onana, who recently moved to Villa Park for £50 million.
This is a promising development for Everton, although there might be some concerns about Phillips due to his recent career dip. While he hasn’t impressed much at City under Pep Guardiola, who doesn’t seem to rate him highly, Phillips has previously demonstrated his abilities, especially for England and Leeds United, where he was described as “superb” by Xavi. At 28, he still has plenty of potential, and if manager Sean Dyche can get the best out of him, Phillips could prove to be a fantastic addition.
Former Everton star John Stones speaks highly of his £150,000-a-week club and international teammate, praising Phillips’ “outrageous” range of passing—an attribute not often highlighted.
Signing Phillips on a free transfer reduces the risk for Everton. If he doesn’t perform well, they can let him go next summer. However, if he excels at Goodison Park, they could consider making the move permanent, potentially benefiting from several strong years from the midfielder.
